Iran and US trade attacks in worst escalation since peace deal
Iran and the United States traded strikes over the past two days in the worst escalation since signing an interim peace deal aimed at ending their four-month war.
The two sides accused each other of violating the agreement after a cargo ship was attacked on Thursday, prompting the latest exchange of strikes. The US blamed Iran for the attack.
A tanker was also struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said.
The vessel sustained damage to its bridge. However, all crew were reported safe, and no environmental damage was recorded, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
The Joint Maritime Information Center, a coalition of navies protecting commercial shipping, said it had raised its security threat level following the recent incidents.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
On Saturday, Iran said it had launched "defensive" attacks on US-linked military targets in response to US air strikes on its southern coast the day before.
Tehran described the US strikes as "barbaric air strikes" targeting its coastal surveillance facilities, which it said violated the UN Charter.
Iran's foreign ministry did not identify the locations of its attacks, but Bahrain, which hosts the Fifth Fleet of the US Navy, condemned what it described as an Iranian drone attack on its territory.
The US military said its strikes had been carried out in response to an Iranian drone attack on the cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has sought to assert its authority over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route, since traffic resumed over the past two weeks after months of disruption.
Tehran has not directly commented on reports of specific attacks on commercial vessels. However, Iranian state television reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had fired "warning shots" at unspecified ships attempting to pass through channels not approved by Iran, prompting other vessels to seek Iranian permits before transiting the strait.
US Vice President JD Vance said Washington had adhered to the ceasefire agreement and blamed Iran for the renewed violence.
"Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence," Vance wrote on X.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
